Some will not believe it but the S50 is the best place for me. The reason? Because I work with people every day, I don't want to see another human being when I am on holiday. The S50 is not a favorite road and very quiet at the best of times. I am in heaven when I can park under a tree next to the road, open all the windows and listen to the beautiful sound if the emerald spotted dove and the wind blowing through the Mopani trees.

I just love driving along the S63 Nyala drive towards Crooks Corner very slowly.the scenery is just so lush and verdant and especially as the roads goes down towards Crooks itself with the shy Nyala blending into the undergrowth and thick vegetation.Nothing like it. Some pics Here

Having just returned from 3 weeks in SA including 7 nights in Kruger, I'd have to say I just loved the northern area from Letaba upwards to Shingwedzi. The rivers always provide a sense of excitment on what may be lurking down there, and the open bushland has a wealth of wildlife to feast on.

Some lovely places mentioned in this thread. Crooks Corner Im pleased to see getting everything it deserves, now please don't all rush there

Im a Northerner I just love it. When you're up North Crooks Corner is magical, it like an oasis. I've seen some stunning happenings around there. Once in November we watched for three hours as a troop of baboons hunted baby impala. Around that time of year there were many many new borns. The baboons were so clever too, making friends with the impalas just trawling, mingling even touching the calves then bang they got one. As dramatic as a lion kill I can tell you.

The peace and quite up there (besides baboons hunting) is heaven as many people have said. I love Bateleur upwards. Bateleur itself for the birds tremendous, but also I've seen some good number of the big five there. Leopard, elephant, the hide is very productive and you are close. We also saw coming back late in the evening a fresh lion kill, it's one of the most dramatic things I think I've ever witnessed, the noise as they all roared and fought over the Zebra was something else, lions were coming in from all sides to try and get a piece. We were very late getting back If you see something like a sickly or old Zebra hang around you might get some big action late in the afternoon.

Some of the long dust roads towards the Limpopo national park area or side I remeber are also fantastic isolated wild places. There is a very productive dam where watching elephants quite close taking baths is wonderful. Lovely open country with grassy views far and wide. Coming across a lone bull is wonderful, they almost like the company, but here also we came across the biggest elephant herd I've ever seen. Hundreds and hundreds of animals. Think it was many herds meeting up, there was much noise and running about dust and greeting and making new acquaintances, a very special way to spend a whole afternoon.

We usually give the whole Southern part a miss because of the crowds that time of year but this this year we will spend a day or two around there for the first time. Its nice to leave something completely unknown for later.

Any time spent in KNP is magical. Be that in camp, on the roads in search of 'life' or sat around the braai fire. That said I do have a favourite spot in Kruger.

Lake Panic Hide for me is a special place. There is always something happening: birds are flitting around and also snorting hippos a mere few metres away. The atmosphere is amazing considering the close proximity to the Skukuza golf course and the busy Skukuza camp.

If I was to pick just one area in Kruger, it will be the open grasslands around Satara Plenty of animals, and often in the open as well I also love the variety of routes around Satara camp!

I agree. Our favourite is the Mananga 4X4 trail close to Satara. On the six occasions we used it this year we only encountered 2 other vehicles. It's like having the Park all to yourself especially if you spend the entire day out there. It's a bit reminiscent of certain areas in Botswana where you don't have to put up with hoards of people racing from one traffic jam to the next to see another tatty lion.The morning walks from Satara are particularly interesting where the mysteries of the bush are explained to you by an expert field ranger.

Last edited by geoff_jungle on Mon Nov 04, 2013 6:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Best areas and why they are best:The far north (Shing & Punda & Pafuri): fewer people, more bird species, tranquility The north (Olifants & Letaba): the river, the scenery, enough game & birds to keep things interestingThe central parts (Satara): wide, open spaces; lots of game; lots of lionsThe south (Lower Sabie, Skukuza etc.): close enough to Gauteng for a weekend visit; almost guaranteed to see the big five

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